The Capital City Half Marathon Race Recap

The Capital City Half Marathon
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Start Time: 8:00am

Warning:  This post is LONG

Ok, I won’t bore you with talking about the expo… I’ll just say, I did end up going by myself which is fine because I got in and out without any problems… and J ended up calling me as I was leaving to see if I wanted to meet up in the morning… AND… before the expo I ate this awesome cookie which was sure to make me fast the next morning! ;)  (yes, it says “Fast Eddie”)

RACE MORNING, I had set my alarm to go off at 5:30am, but ended up waking up around 4:45am to the power being out! I was seriously a little skeptical on how I was going to get ready for my race in complete darkness… but it came back on around 5am so all was well!!  I ate a piece of peanut butter toast and water for breakfast and hopped in the shower to warm up a little because it was cold!!

Getting Ready 

Sidenote:  Yes, I, Zaneta (AKA: the not so girly girl) bought a running skirt!! surprise!!
Another surprise… I LOVE IT!!  Now I understand everyone’s need to buy a
different running skirt for each race ;)

I drove the 1 hour trek to Columbus and was immediately SO glad I had prepaid to park at a specific location!!  Seriously… if you have the option to prepay for parking for a race… DO IT!!!Streets were closed everywhere and traffic was backed up majorly!  While I was at a stand still I was texting back and forth with my fiancé before he had to go to work.  So by the time I parked and walked to the starting location I had about 15 minutes before go time!! lol… nothing like cutting it short! ;)  BTW, I had to pee so bad!! lol…

Well I stopped at the first port-a-pot because I thought that if I just got in a line quickly, it would be my best bet… well after waiting for about 6 minutes I decided enough was enough and started walking towards my corral… funny thing… the lines for the port-a-pots by Corral C were empty! haha… lesson learned! ;) 

I got to my corral and actually found J and her boyfriend which was surprising due to the amount of people that were there!  This was the biggest race I’ve EVER been to!  It was quite exciting!  I squeezed in beside them just in time for the national anthem and then they started each corral 30 seconds apart… 3-2-1… GO!!

We started out and it was pretty crowded still even though we had a tapered start.  It did end up spacing out quite a bit after mile 4 or so… I don’t really remember anything specific for each mile or anything like that so I’ll just post some things in general…

I ran with J and her boyfriend for about the first 5 miles BUT we started out faster than I wanted to go… I didn’t want to die before mile 6 and I wanted to have fun during this race…I ran my first half marathon last September with an average pace of 10:10 and this race so far, we had been running 8 something miles lol… um… all I kept thinking was “my 5k splits are 8 something miles!! haha… SLOOOOOOWWWW DOWWWNNNNNNN!!!”  Remember how I told you all, that due to my lack of training because of my crazy busy life right now I was forgoing my goal of a sub 2 hour half marathon?  yes… it’s sad, but I was happy with myself that I realized this and knew not to push too hard and end up hurting myself.  I told J to go on ahead because I was pulling up a little… I wanted to just run for fun and I couldn’t do that if I was constantly worrying about burning out or hurting myself.

I don’t remember exactly when I took my GUs but I remember that I took 3 of them along the course of the race and I grabbed water at EVERY water station and whatever endurance drink they had at about 3 stations… it had warmed up quite a bit and the rain was holding off. 

I had brought my IPod along but never ended up turning it on… there were so many bands and DJs and spectators along the course that I was having a blast without it and I didn’t realize it til about 1 mile left to go because it was cutting the circulation off in my arm so I took it off and held it the last mile. I loved giving all the little kids high fives because they thought this was the most exciting thing ever to watch and cheer for!

… I saw a banana with a “Don’t Poop…. out” sign lol…(the pic is taken from the capcityhalf fb page) and I saw a charlie sheen poster that said “everyone’s a winner!”  (or something like that) and also one of my faves  “humpty dumpty had wall issues too” lol

 

I don’t ever remember having any negative thoughts during this race at all… I remember thinking that I felt really good for the lack of training I’d had and thinking to myself that I would definitely PR this race… and then as I got closer to the finish line I realized that I was going to be really close to my goal time without really trying for it! lol… I was very surprised at myself… there were a few miles that I felt like slowing down but I took inventory on how everything was feeling… how my chest/heart were feeling because I didn’t want to have a repeat of last September, and everything felt good, so I made myself keep a somewhat steady pace those last 3 miles… although they were slower than the previous miles…

Right before the finish line was a hill… but after the hill it was all down hill to the finish!  I LOVED that!!  I had such a fun time… and I ran most of it by myself… no family there to cheer me on… and that was perfectly ok!  I never ended up meeting back up with J… I ended up being able to see them ahead of me for most of the race… til about 3 miles left… anyways… I sprinted down that incline to the finish because I was so proud of myself and my time!!  I was so close to my goal… but it didn’t bother me like I thought it would… I HAD A BLAST!!!

Official Time:  2:03:57
Average Pace:  9:28
Overall Place:  2453/6005
Gender Place:  1010/3502
AG (20-24) Place:  168/462

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After crossing the finish line and receiving my most favoritest medal EVER… I grabbed a bagel, water, muscle milk (i had never tried it before and it was better than i had thought it would be) and then after I cooled down a little bit, I grabbed some donatos pizza and headed over to the Brooks Cavalcade of Curiosities to get my gait analyzed… I guess I’m a moderate pronator and have a med-high arch… anyone want to kind of explain what this means and how to fix it? lol…  I guess I’ll have to do my research…

After all that fun stuff I went back up to the top of the hill before the downhill finish to cheer people on and that was so much fun… just the look on people’s faces when I cheered for them by name and told them they could do it, finish strong, it’s really all downhill from here… it was awesome!  After I cheered for a good 20 minutes, I walked back to my car and found that I hadn’t been alone at all… My fiancé and family were all cheering for me by text messages during my race!!  I have awesome support and I’m so blessed… The text from my fiancé made me tear up…

He basically just told me to keep going strong, that I was almost finished, and that he loved me… so simple, but meant the world to me!

I loved every single moment of this race!!  It was rather emotional for me too… I don’t really understand why… watching all the people after me finish… how emotional they were… I DID PR by 10 minutes, so that was awesome… and being by myself kinda did get to me a little bit, I’m not gonna lie… so I guess that all wraps up into one emotional race… Registration for the Capital City Half Marathon opens June 1st… and you better believe I will be registering for this race again!

It Is Well With My Soul…

I’ve been really stressed out and moody lately, I’m not going to get into specifics… Just a lot going on!  It’s not like my life sucks, cuz it doesn’t… it’s all good things!  Wedding, Work (making money), going back to school, did i mention wedding stuff? (and all the fun little arguments that come with not pleasing everyone with your choices) lol… yeah, i seriously have a lot on my plate right now and it’s not doing me any good!

I stepped on the scale over the weekend… I’ve lost almost 10 pounds!  This isn’t good… I can’t really lose weight because I’m already almost too skinny… it starts messing with how things work…

**shield your eyes men, if you get grossed out** 

I’m gonna get kinda personal… sorry…

 

My period was 7 days late this month… Not to mention that I’ve been miserable and cramping the past 3 weeks… stress and weight loss are not good on this body!  I went a whole summer without one when i was in high school and vowed I would never be that underweight again because I didn’t want to risk any health issues… and thank goodness I am not as skinny as i was back then… but I'm still not in the healthy range right now… so you guys need to hold me accountable.. i need to start eating better and gain the weight back! 

Stress also wears you out emotionally… I know you all have experienced this at least at some point in your life…

Last night, after Josh helped me out with some wedding stuff, I lost it… I had been getting frustrated and just started crying… for no good reason.  It’s a good thing he understands me so well… he didn’t tell me to stop acting like a baby, didn’t ask me what was wrong… just gave me a hug and said “I know you have a lot going on right now… It’s all going to work out!  You’re strong Zaneta!  You’ll get through this!” 

And he’s right…

Sunday before church I couldn’t stop worrying about things and thinking about everything and all of a sudden a song popped into my head…

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
when sorrows like sea billows roll;
whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.

Refrain:
It is well with my soul,
it is well, it is well with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
let this blest assurance control,
that Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
and hath shed his own blood for my soul.
(Refrain)

I instantly stopped and thanked God that he was reminding me that he was in control and everything is going to be ok…  I serve an awesome God who cares about me!  It’s hard sometimes to completely trust God with things… but He really is in control!  That’s something I’ve been working on lately… just trusting Him and letting Him handle things the way He wants to handle them, not the way Zaneta wants to handle them…

I truly am so blessed!  I love my life and the people in my life!  It’s time to stop stressing out and start enjoying my life!  It’s supposed to be fun, not stressful!  Planning a wedding to the most wonderful guy, going back to school to get the career that I feel God has been planning for me to have and that I actually enjoy doing,  and in the mean time, having a job that doesn’t mind working around my school schedule, and not to mention I have an awesome family and parents who are letting us live with them after we get married… I just needed that little reminder…It is well with my soul!!

3 Months To Go!!

Thanks for all the wonderful comments you all left me on my cake post!!  It made my day!  I already have plans to bake an Easter cake… we’ll see tho ;)

Well, today marks the 3 month countdown… or if you prefer, 13 weeks…. OR 92 days ;) lol

Yesterday was 4 years since the fiancé asked me to be his girlfriend ;)  just thought I’d throw that in there lol… He’s something special that man of mine… something special indeed!  I don't want to get all sappy right now… I’ll save that till closer to the wedding ;)

This week I have worked on and almost completed our wedding website, made an attempt at making a registry since we won’t have our own house for a couple years (therefore, won’t be able to register for much), stayed up past my bed time making direction cards to send out with my invitations, and did my taxes and FAFSA today…. yes, I know that really doesn’t have anything to do with wedding stuff, but I'm pretty excited I got them done before April this year lol ;)  AND… this is the last time I get to file under “single”  pretty exciting eh? ;) haha!  ok, if you’re reading this post you’re probably 1) nodding your head or 2) rolling your eyes at me ;) lol… its ok, I don't need to know which ;)

****Insert random bit of info about Zaneta here****

Ever notice how i have a lot of winky faces throughout my blog posts?  Yes, I
know I do this a lot, but it’s probably because I can’t really wink in real life,
so I do it as much as possible in blog life ;) <—see? perfect wink ;) lol

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About the direction cards:  If you missed the post where I admitted I was a tightwad…. here it is again… I’m a tightwad!!  I don’t really like spending money… especially more than I have to.  I splurged on my invitations just because I liked them lol and then I saved a bunch of money by making postcards on vista print for my reply cards, and now I saved more money by making my own direction cards!  I was looking on a wedding invitation website to see about how much they cost and they wanted $1/card!  I needed 100 so I saved about $100!!

 crossed out personal info… you can never be too safe on the internet ;)

I already had some card stock so I decided to print 4 to a page… I made them up in Microsoft Word… I put the directions on the front and a map on the back (had to print front and back manually, meaning i had to take it and turn it around and put it back in the printer) and then I cut them all out with scissors because I don't have a fancy paper cutting machine ;)  I ended up with 106 somehow lol… i few mistakes that didn’t make the final cut probably… it took me a couple hours, but it was worth it to save money!  I saved the perfected document so I could reprint some if I needed to.  If anyone needs help doing anything like this for their wedding or a party or something, just ask me and I’ll be happy to help! :)

92 Days Left!

My Motivation is Back Baby!

At least for now ;)

I’m gonna do this “Three Thing Thursday” Style:

1.  I started March out Tuesday with a great workout!!  I ran 2.7 miles outside with an average 9:16 pace… mostly in the dark, but it felt great!!  Then I did a weight circuit for my arms and shoulders… let me tell you what… I have badly neglected my triceps!  They are still so sore today!!  Ouchy!!  That’s what bein a bum gets ya…

After I worked out I helped my fiancé with a school assignment.  He has to make an educational video about statistics for the middle school age group.  He’s having fun with it, it’s gonna be a good video when he’s done! :)  I wore one of his props cuz I’m cool like that.

2.  Then Today, after I got off work, I came home and ran on the treadmill for 4.02 miles in 37:49… I went from being at a speed of 6 to 8 throughout the course of the run… negative splits for me!! woohoo! 

 

3.  After my run, and stretching, my left hamstring was really hurting me, so I got out my trusty friend, Mr. Foam Roller.   Can I just say I LOVE my foam roller?!  He’s my best friend… See… we’re tight!  He’s the best man in my wedding… ok, I don’t think my fiancé would be happy if Mr. Foam Roller rolled down the aisle during the ceremony… Sorry foamy… you’re stayin home!  Do you use a foam roller?  Do you love it so much you want to hug it? “I do!” ;)

114 Days Left!

4 MONTHS & 120 DAYS

Exactly 4 months from today, or 120 days, I will be a married woman!! YAY!!!  I’M SO EXCITED!!!  In fact, you know those Disney commercials?!  I feel like the little girl at the end of the commercial! Here’s the video incase you don’t have any idea what I'm talking about… like usual ;)

Ok… and yes, I’m a little jealous of all you gals (guys too?) who get to run in the Disney princess race this weekend!!   Maybe one day ;)  Good luck everyone!! :)

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Remember how I didn’t exactly finish Josh’s valentine’s gift cuz I was a tad sick? Well, I worked on it this evening and it went from this:

To eating DQ ice cream cake and watching CSI:

To this cute little guy!! (Which Alisha guessed!!)

It’s a minion from the movie “Despicable Me” (cute movie… one of my faves!  And yes, I’m 23 lol)  The pattern is one of Wolf Dreamer’s patterns.  My fiancé is going to LOVE the finished product!  He loved it when it was in pieces! haha!  Well, I’m gonna head to bed because I’m meeting a friend to go running tomorrow morning!  I hope everyone does well in their races this weekend!! :D  Can’t wait to read all about them!

 

4 Months; 120 Days Left!

Postponement on my Training

Well… back in November I registered for the Capital City Half Marathon and I have kept pushing off training for some reason… maybe because it’s been cold, I’ve been planning a wedding, or I just am plain lazy… who knows! 

But, I was seriously going to start out training today with a 4 mile tempo run but that isn’t going to happen because I’m sick … It feels much like strep throat which would make sense because the young people I work with come to work and inform me that they have strep throat but not to worry because they aren’t contagious anymore but then cough in my face… I’m hoping to feel better so I can start training tomorrow… it’s supposed to be nearly 60 degrees!! YAY!!  Just a week ago the high was 7 lol…silly Ohio weather!

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Last night was mine and Josh’s Valentine’s Day since we didn’t get to see each other on Monday.  He came over and brought me beautiful pink roses, reeses cups, and a card.  I gave him a card and a project of mine in pieces lol… I didn’t get to finish it since I was also sick yesterday and slept most of the day. (more on the project later) Then we made dinner together of sausage and cheese bagels and scrambled eggs… yummy!  We finished out our date with watching one of my favorite shows, NCIS, and then he had to go home early because he had an important test this morning!  It was a wonderful date!  I love him so much and cannot wait to marry him! :) 

 My beautiful flowers

 His unfinished project that I promised would be finished by the weekend lol

Now I’m going to take a nap even though it’s only 11:45 AM lol hopefully I can
kick this before I have to go to work tonight!  I hope everyone has a great day
today!!  You’re week is half way done!! :)

129 Days Left!

Garmin Greatness

 

Yesterday I RAN OUTSIDE for the first time this year lol… it was fabulous!!  I also got to use my Garmin for the first time and I LOVE it!  I just need to figure out all the bells and whistles now lol, here’s my excited I finally have a Garmin picture:

Please ignore the mess… I had just gotten home from work and threw all my stuff down to hurry up and get outside before it got dark… but don’t ignore that little date back there on my dry erase board… WEDDING DAY!!! lol… speaking of which… I’ve lost 3 followers!!  I’m sorry if all my wedding talk has offended anyone… ok, I'm really not, cuz I'm so excited and WANT to talk about getting married on June 25, 2011!! lol ;)  Ok.. screen shot of the Garmin:

Then later last night my wonderful fiancé came to my house after he got out of class to surprise me because I had had a rough day at work.  He brought me colorful daisies (daisies are my favorite flower), Reeses cups, and a card to brighten my day!  Isn’t he so thoughtful?!  I can’t wait to marry him this summer!  He’s seriously the best! 

           

Needless to say, I am one blessed chic to have such a
wonderful man in my life…

141 days left!!

Wedding Update: The Details

Spend, Spend, Spend… I have never spent so much money in my life (excluding school tuition) than I have on this wedding! lol… Now, that being said, let me introduce to you the side of me that I haven’t really discussed often on my blog:  Hello, my name is Zaneta and I am a tightwad! 

There, I said it… I HATE spending money!  It’s not like I had a lot to begin with since I paid straight up cash for school … which I am proud of for not being in debt out of college, but it left me with a sad sad sad bank account lol.

I’ve been reading wedding planning websites and magazines because, let’s face it, I’ve never planned a wedding before lol… surprise! ;)  Most of them have said that the AVERAGE american wedding costs about $15,000 - $20,000… wowsa!  That’s a car!! OR a down payment for a house!!

To me, that is a lot of money for a wedding! I mean, I know it’s a special day, dont get me wrong!  I want my wedding to be gorgeous and a once in a lifetime event… but when it’s all said and done… it’s only 1 day!  I’d rather save as much money as possible… still have a gorgeous wedding… but still have money in my bank account so that in the near future me and my future hubby can have a down payment for a house.  I’ll share in a different post about some things that I’ve done to save some money … right now I just want to give you guys the overview of my wedding details!

I, Zaneta, am marrying my best friend, Joshuah,
whom I have known for almost 5 years and
have dated for almost 4 (come march 24th)

on

June 25, 2011
2:35pm
at the church that I have grown up in
with a reception to follow

My colors are Blue and Green (duh)
My 2 sisters are both my Maids of Honor
His brother and my brother are both his Best Men

We have a cake lady, photographer, and a professional pianist booked
I’m still shopping around for a florist, but I know the flowers I want

Those are the basics… If I left anything out, or you’re curious about any of my planning, just leave me a comment, or email me! I love talking about it!!  :)  I’m so excited to be marrying my best friend, and the love of my life!!  I now have less than 5 months to go!! YAY!!

148 days left

5 Months To Go!

5 months from today and I will be a married woman! :D  AHH! I’m so excited!! :)  I can’t wait til I can sit down and hash out an update of my wedding planning for you guys!  I’ve got quite a bit done, but still have quite a bit left I feel like! lol…  I sent my engagement ring back to get it sized down again… I think this time it will be the perfect fit! :)  I just want it to hurry and come back!! lol… February 1st by the latest is what they told me :)

Well, I just wanted to touch base with you all, and tell you that I ran outside for the first time this year! lol… Man, we’ve had some crappy weather!!  But today was about 37 degrees instead of what seems like the usual –5…  I was all excited because I could finally use my garmin forerunner 405cx that my fiancé got me for Christmas and when I went to put it on, I remembered that I hadn’t charged it … drats! Maybe next time ;)

Well, I’m heading to bed… another long day of work for me tomorrow!  Which know that I’m paying for a wedding… doesn’t seem so bad ;) lol Goodnight all!